Explanation:
Welcome to an equatorial night.
This
remarkable 24 frame night skyscape was captured from
Maba Beach on the Indonesian island of Halmahera during the
evening of March 4.
Seen from a mere 0.7 degrees northern latitude,
both famous northern and southern asterisms and
navigational aids
lie within the panoramic view.
The Big Dipper is on the far left and Southern Cross
at the far right.
Beyond the fading campfire on that night a yellow-orange
celestial triangle
is set by Mars, Antares, and Saturn.
It stands above the rising central Milky Way, or "Miett" in
the local Maba language.
Of course, you can follow the
pole pointing stars in the cup of the
Big Dipper or body of the
Southern Cross to
the north and south celestial poles.
Both lie just at the horizon in the view from the island's
equatorial
beach.